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I am hesitant of having an opinion. These are luminaries that I look up to, but I fundamentally disagree with their opinion on this topic. Probably partially be

I am hesitant of having an opinion. These are luminaries that I look up to, but I fundamentally disagree with their opinion on this topic. Probably partially because I have been very frustrated with snobbish and disconnected[1] attitude towards K12 education among scientists. But to actually answer your question. Better-off parents already bypass public education, even if not completely. If this new program works (not a given), the problem will not be exacerbated, rather more students will be prepared to reach for these "gifted programs" (which in many cases, even if expensive, usually have good fee-waivers as this gives them more credibility). [1] Obviously just a personal opinion. But in the interactions I have had in this context I feel I have seen a lot of inflated but unsubstantiated sense of competence.

abecedarius 5y ago
Thanks. I guess I can see this working out if the classes end up being taught better on average (aiming for deeper understanding instead of faster advancement along a standard track to "advanced" math), and if the better-off parents generally appreciate this. If we did successfully get better teaching then it'd be natural for a greater proportion of the disadvantaged to discover they're interested in real math, too. (I wouldn't bet on it, personally, and I don't think the infusion of wokeness is mainly about helping more people to understand math better. Hopefully I'm too cynical. The Common Core math stuff seems like progress, for instance.)
- krastanov 5y ago
  On the other hand for a strong case against my belief, this seems like a good start https://edsource.org/2021/one-districts-faulty-data-shouldnt-drive-californias-math-policy/663374 https://edsource.org/2021/one-districts-faulty-data-shouldnt... It is cited in the open letter's supporting document. It would take some very serious effort to read through these resources and try to disentangle the biases of the authors, but I guess this meltdown would not have happened if reading social/ed science papers was easy.

abecedarius 5y ago

Thanks. I guess I can see this working out if the classes end up being taught better on average (aiming for deeper understanding instead of faster advancement along a standard track to "advanced" math), and if the better-off parents generally appreciate this. If we did successfully get better teaching then it'd be natural for a greater proportion of the disadvantaged to discover they're interested in real math, too. (I wouldn't bet on it, personally, and I don't think the infusion of wokeness is mainly about helping more people to understand math better. Hopefully I'm too cynical. The Common Core math stuff seems like progress, for instance.)

krastanov 5y ago
On the other hand for a strong case against my belief, this seems like a good start https://edsource.org/2021/one-districts-faulty-data-shouldnt-drive-californias-math-policy/663374 https://edsource.org/2021/one-districts-faulty-data-shouldnt... It is cited in the open letter's supporting document. It would take some very serious effort to read through these resources and try to disentangle the biases of the authors, but I guess this meltdown would not have happened if reading social/ed science papers was easy.